The Vanishing Train Gameplay

In 2025, The Vanishing Train (also known as Oneman Ressha / ワンマン列車) is a notable indie psychological horror game that recently launched to significant underground buzz. It is part of the growing “Japanese Work Simulator Horror” subgenre.

Here is what you need to know about the game and other similar references:

1. The Game: The Vanishing Train (2025)

Released on November 28, 2025, on PC (Steam), this game was developed by a solo 16-year-old developer under the name RAYBIS GAMES.

• The Premise: You play as a train driver on a remote, rural Japanese railway line deep in the mountains. Your job is to perform routine duties—stopping accurately at stations, opening doors, and checking on passengers.
• The Horror: As your shift progresses, strange and inexplicable events begin to occur. Cabin lights flicker, passengers start disappearing one by one, and subtle anomalies appear in the environment.
• Multiple Endings: The game features four distinct endings based on the choices you make during your shift. It is a short experience, typically taking 30–45 minutes to see all conclusions, designed for high replayability and “lore-hunting.”
• Aesthetic: It uses a 3D first-person perspective with a focus on realism and immersion, tapping into the “liminal space” feeling of an empty train at night.

2. In Cinema: Ghost Train (2025)

If you are looking for a movie, the South Korean film “Ghost Train” (Korean: Goegiyeolcha) was released in July 2025.

• Story: It follows a horror YouTuber who investigates “Gwanglim Station,” a place famous for unexplained disappearances and eerie sightings.
• Vibe: Much like the game, it deals with the transition from a normal commute into a supernatural nightmare.

3. In Literature: The Vanishing Point (2025)

Often confused with “The Vanishing Train” due to the name, Paul Theroux released a major short story collection titled The Vanishing Point in January 2025.

• While not strictly a horror book, the stories focus on “vanishing points”—moments where a person’s life lines converge and they face a sudden, life-altering transformation or ending.

Summary of Differences